The Number of Negative Lymph Nodes is Positively Associated with Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients in China.

BACKGROUND: There is a controversial relationship between the negative lymph nodes (NLNs) and survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study investigates the implications of total number of NLNs on thoracic ESCC patient prognosis. METHODS: 579 thoracic ESCC patients were categorized into four groups (0-9, 10-14, 15-19 and ≥20 NLNs). Univariate analysis was done by the log-rank tests while multivariate analysis was undertaken using Cox regression models. Survival analysis was determined employing the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: When the numbers of NLNs were 9 or less, 10 to 14, 15 to 19 and 20 or more, patients of 3-year survival rates were 21.7%, 40.0%, 61.2% and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.001). In the node-negative and node-positive subgroups, 3-year survival rates were 34.9% and 14.3%, 50.9% and 19.3%, 65.6% and 51.8%, 81.4% and 68.9% respectively (P<0.001). Gender, tumor length, tumor differentiation, T and N stage as well as the total NLNs were found to be significantly linked to survival rates. Multivariate analysis showed tumor length, T stage, N stage and total NLNs were independent prognostic factors for ESCC patients. CONCLUSION: NLNs numbers is a significant independent prognostic indicator for thoracic ESCC patients' survival after curative esophagectomy.

Upregulation of HIF-1α protects neuroblastoma cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis in a RhoA-dependent manner.

Hypoxic conditions regulate several metabolic enzymes and transcription factors that are involved in cancer, ischemia and pulmonary diseases. The Ras homolog (Rho) family, including Rho member A (RhoA), is involved in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, cell migration and in the regulation of apoptosis and gene transcription. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of hypoxia­inducible factor (HIF)­α and the activity of RhoA in PC12 neuroblastoma cells under hypoxic conditions. The upregulation of HIF­α and RhoA by hypoxia was determined using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays, cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the activity of caspase 3 was examined using a western blot assay and caspase 3 activity assay kit. The PC12 cells were induced to apoptosis following exposure to hypoxia, and exhibited increased expression of HIF­α and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of RhoA. The overexpression of HIF­α attenuated the hypoxia­induced apoptosis of the PC12 cells. In addition, RhoA knockdown using small interfering RNA abrogated the antagonism of HIF­1α towards hypoxia­induced apoptosis. The results of the present study confirmed the protective role of HIF­1α and RhoA in hypoxia­induced PC12 cell apoptosis, and that the upregulation of HIF­1α by hypoxia is RhoA­dependent.